Structure for removably supporting slats in a venetian blind



Jan. 2, 1951 s. L. SHERWOOD 2,536,472

. STRUCTURE FOR REMOVABLY SUPPORTING SLATS IN A VENETIAN BLIND 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 16, 1950 INVENTOR. fi/mm L. Ofierwao/ATTORNEY.

Jam 1951 G L. SHERWOOD 2,536,472

STRUCTURE FOR REMOVABLY SUPPORTING SLATS IN A VENETIAN BLIND Filed Jan.16, 1950 2 snee cs-sneet 2 INVENTOR. /e/m L. dfiercuoac/ Patented Jan.2, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STRUCTURE FOR REMOVABLY SUPPORT- INGSLATS IN A VENETIAN BLIND 12'Claims. l This invention relates toimprovements in structure for removably supporting slats in a Venetianblind.

The invention disclosed herein has been divided from my copendingapplication, Serial No. 59,775, filed June 16, 1945, for Venetian Blindand Tape Construction.

The principal objects of this invention are:

First, to provide novel means for effectively retaining the slats of aVenetian blind in proper laterally spaced position on the ladder tapesof the blind while still permitting easy disengagement of the individualblind slats for cleaning or other purposes.

Second, to provide novel means for adapting the cross straps of Venetianblind ladders to retain slotted blind slats in properly aligned positionrelative to the lift cords of the blind assembly.

Third, to provide inexpensive and easily assembled means for adaptingstandard Venetian blind ladders for use with blind slats having cordreceiving slots opening to one of their edges.

Fourth, to provide a ladder structure for a Venetian blind whicheliminates the necessity for forming apertures or holes in the crossstraps of the ladder when the ladder is used in combination withremovable blind slats having cord receiving slots opening to theiredges.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the following description and claims and the attacheddrawings of which there are two sheets.

Fig. 1 illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of one form of myVenetian blind construction.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary left end elevational view of the blind structureshown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Figs. 1 and2 with the slats in tilted position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the ladder structure shownin Figs. 1 to 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal cross sectional viewthrough the blind taken trating a modified form of blind assembly.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cord retaining plate employed in themodified assembly shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary horizontal cross sectional view through a, stillfurther modified form of my blind assembly.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a pair of the cord retaining platesemployed in the assembl shown in Fig. 9.

It has previously been proposed to provide Venetian blinds in which theindividual blind slats are removable from the blind supporting laddersby reason of the slats being formed with laterally opening slots toreceive the lift cords which extend vertically through the several slatsand usually between the opposite tapes of each ladder. Blinds of thisgeneral construction and without further modification have been foundobjectionable in that when the blinds are tilted in the well knownfashion the lift cords approach the open ends of the slots in the blindslats and often become disengaged from the slots. Then when the blind isagain tilted to bring the slats into horizontal position the lift cordsengage the edges of the slats and prevent the slats from returning tothe desired horizontal position. In my above mentioned copendingapplication I have disclosed structure for preventing this accidentaldisengagement of the individual blind slats by providing cross straps onthe ladders having elongated holes formed therein to receive the liftcords of the blind and to vertically support the blind slats. The endportions of the cross straps at the ends of the holes therein are thuspositioned across and form closures for the open ends of the slots inthe blind slats. Then when the blind assembly is tilted the end edges ofthe holes. in the cross straps engage the lift cords and prevent themfrom moving laterally with respect to the blind slats sufiiciently topass through the open ends of the slots in the slats.

The foregoing structure has been found to have one commercialdisadvantage in that the manufacture of Venetian blind ladders withcross straps having elongated holes therein is expensive. This appearsto be due to the present inability of the manufacturers of Venetianblind ladders to form an elongated hole in fabric cross straps andproduce the straps at an economical low price. The several forms of mypresent invention provide economical means for providing closures on thecross straps of a Venetial blind ladder for the ends of the slots in theblind slats.

Fig. 1 illustrates a portion of a, Venetian blind which includes aplurality of slats I tiltably sup,-

' ported by a pair of ladders 2. Each Qfthelad;

of each ladder through which thelift cords-Beef the blind assembly arethreaded. The individual slats l which rest upon the cross straps arepro-- vided with laterally spaced. transversely opening slots 7 whichpermit theiiid-ividual. slats to.

be tilted or twisted upwardly until the lift cords of the; cords: 61-from. the slots.- 7 during tilting motion of the blind, as describedabove,- I' have providedf'a' plurality-of: retaining plates. 3 whicharesecuredlto: and: supported. by the cross straps 4; The plates 8 areof relatively-rigid construction and can be formed of thin metal or.thermoplasticrmaterial or. any other substance havingthenecessaryr-i'gidity. Eachxof theplates ii'hasanielongated'eh'oleitaform'ed therein transverslyv oi the blindstructure or longitudinally of the cross straps: 4;. The holes is formednear the center oftheplate and the plate approximates the length ofthecross strap so that'the plate can he?securedto either the rightorlef-t'cross straps of." a ladder structure. The plate may besecnredtothe cross strap by adhesive l ll (see Fig. '5"); or byadhesionof the thermoplastic material of'theplateitsel'for by other suitablemeans.

With the plates 8"in position the ends of-' the holes 9 will engage thelift cords E; as at H in Fig.3; when the'blind is tilted to-prevent-thelift cord from moving out of the slots l'in the blind slats.

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a modified form of retaining plate and methodof attaching the plate to the cross straps of the ladder. The plate '8Aiis of substantially the same size and shape as=the plate 8'i'n Figs. Ito Band has an elongated hole. 9A formed therein. The plate 8A isprovidedwith a. return bend" flange l2 along one edge thereof which isdesigned to fit over and lie crimped against the cross straps 4 of theladder. In order to make the plate 8A attachable toeither the right orleft' cross straps on the ladders, the hole 9A; is longer than the'holea and issymmetrical to both ends of'the plate.

FigSi'Q and illustrate a further modified form of plate which may beused in place of theplates -8'or 8A. The plates 83 are of L-shapeconst'ructionhavihg one branch I3 approximately equal in length to thelength of the plates 3 and another branch I 4 approximately equal inlength to the width of the ladder tapes. The plates 8B are provided withreturn bend flanges 1 5 along the outer edge of the long arms l3 and.

are adapted to be secured to the cross straps by cr'imping the flangesl5 and arms is about the-"straps. It will be noted that the arms i4areof approxi'matelythe same width as the end portions of the plates 8and 8A at the ends of the slots 9 so that the arms I4 lie across andclose the ends of the slots 7 in the blind. slats when the plates andslats are assembled in a 'lilind structure. Right and left hand platesBB are provided as shown in Fig. 10 so that the arms l3 may overlie thecross straps 4 on both the right and left sides of the ladder tapes.

All forms of my cord retaining plates operate in the same manner incooperation with the cross straps and slats of a Venetian blind to holdthe-blind slats in properly. aligned relationship to theladder-structures; While I'have disclosed three modified forms of slataligning structure I do not intend to limit my invention to the specificforms illustrated as other variations of the plates or clips andarrangement of the cross straps of the ladders may be devised which willfallwithinthe-scope of the claims.

Having. thus. described my invention, what I claim. as newand desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a Venetian blind having laterally spaced double tape supporting.ladders with vertically extending lift cords positioned between thetapes of the ladders the combination-of; crossstraps connecting thetapes of each ladder-,gsaidrstraps being of relatively narrow widthand'secured-to said tapes in verticallystaggeredpositions-near theopposite-edges of the tapes; a plurality ofiblind slats removablysupported on said cross-straps and having elongated slots-opening totheiredges to receive said' liftcords, and cord retaining plates securedby adhesive along theirside edges to said" cross straps, said cordretaining plates having elongated holes formed therein andextendinglongitudinallyalongside said cross straps and embracing said lift-cords,the ends of said retaining plates at the ends of said holes constitutingclosures for the outer ends of the slots in said blind slats.

21 In a Venetianblindhaving laterally spaced double tape supportingladders with VertiQallye tending lift cords positionedv between the.tapes of the ladders the combination of, cross straps connectingthetapes of each ladder, said straps being of relatively narrow width andsecured to said tapes, near the edges of the tapes, a plurality of blindslats removably supported on said cross straps and having elongated"slots opening to their edges. to receive said; lift cords, and cordretaining plates secured; along, their side edges to said cross straps,said cord re taining plates having elongated holes formed therein andextending longitudinally alongside said cross straps. and embracingsaid. lift cords, the ends of said retaining plates at the ends 01" saidholes constituting closuresfor the outer ends of the slots in saidblindslats. v

3; In a Venetian blind having laterallyspaced double tape supportingladders with vertically extending lift cords positioned adjacent. to thetapes of the ladders the combination. or", cross straps connecting thetapes of, eachladder, said straps being postioned adjacent to saidcords, a

plurality of. blind slats removably supported. on

said cross straps and having elongated'slots opening to their edges toreceive said lift cords, and cord retaining plates secured to saidladders and lapped between said cross straps and said slats, said cordretaining plates having" elongated holes formed therein and extendinglongitudinally alongside said cross straps to receive said lift cords,the ends of said retaining plates at the ends of said holes constitutingclosures for the outer ends of the slots in said'blind slats.

4. In a Venetian blind having laterally spaced double tape supportingladders with; vertically extending lift cords positionedadjacentto thetapes of the ladders the combination of, cross straps connecting thetapes of each ladder, said straps being positioned adjacent to saidcords, a plurality of blind slats removably supported on said crossstraps and having elongated slots opening to their edges to receive saidlift cords, and cord retaining plates secured to said ladders and lappedbetween said cross straps and said slats,

said cord retaining plates extending longitu secured to said tapes invertically spaced positions alongside of the cords, a plurality of blindslats removably supported on said cross straps and having elongatedslots opening to their edges to receive said lift cords, and cordretaining plates secured to said cross straps, said cord retainingplates having elongated holes formed therein and extendinglongitudinally alongside said cross straps and embracing said liftcords, end portions of said retaining plates at the ends of said holesconstituting closures for the outer ends of the slots in said blindslats.

6. In a Venetian blind having laterally spaced double tape supportingladders with vertically extending lift cords positioned adjacent to theladders the combination of, cross straps connecting the tapes of eachladder, said straps being secured to said tapes in vertically spacedpositions alongside of the cords, a plurality of blind slats removablysupported on said cross straps and having elongated slots opening totheir edges to receive said lift cords, and cord retaining platessecured to said ladders and lapped along said straps, said cordretaining plates having elongated holes formed therein and extendinglongitudinally alongside said cross straps and embracing said liftcords, end portions of said retaining plates at the ends of saidholes'constituting closures for the outer ends of the slots in saidblind slats.

'7. In a Venetian blind having laterally spaced double tape supportingladders with vertically extending lift cords positioned adjacent totheladders the combination of, cross straps connectf ing the tapes ofeach ladder, said straps being s'- cured to said tapes in verticallyspaced positions alongside of the cords, a plurality of blind slatsremovably supported on said cross straps and hav ing elongated slotsopening to their edges to re ceive said lift cords, and cord retainingplates having return flanges along their side edges clamped over to saidcross straps, said cord retaining plates having elongated holes formedtherein and extending longitudinally alongside said cross straps andembracing said lift cords, end portions of said retaining plates at theends of said holes constituting closures for the outer ends of the slotsin said blind slats.

8. In a Venetian blind having laterally spaced double tape supportingladders with vertically extending lift cords positioned adjacent to theladders the combination of, cross straps connecting the tapes of eachladder, said straps being secured to said tapes in vertically spacedpositions alongside of the cords, a plurality of blind slats removablysupported on said cross straps and having elongated slots opening totheir edges to receive said lift cords, and cord retaining plates havingreturn flanges along their side edges clamped over to said cross straps,said cord retaining plates extending longitudinally alongside said liftcords, end portions of said retaining plates constituting closures forthe outer ends of the slots in said blind slats.

9. In a Venetian blind having laterally spaced double tape supportingladders with vertically extending lift cords positioned between thetapes of the ladders, cross straps connecting the tapes of each ladder,.said straps being of relatively narrow width and being secured to saidtapes in vertically staggered positions on opposite sides of the cords,a plurality of blind slats removably supported on said cross straps andhaving elongated slots opening to their edges thereof to receive saidlift cords, and L-shaped cord retaining plates having return bendflanges along a side edge of one of their arms clamped over said crossstraps, said cord retaining plates extending longitudinally alongsidesaid cords and having laterally extending arms at the ends of said firstarms constituting closures for the outer ends of the slots in said blindslats.

10. In a Venetian blind having laterally spaced double tape supportingladders with vertically extending lift cords positioned adjacent to theladders the combination of, cross straps connecting the tapes of eachladder, said straps being of relatively narrow width and being securedto said tapes in vertically staggered positions on opposite sides of thecords, a plurality of blind slats removably supported on said crossstraps and having elongated slots opening to their edges to receive saidlift cords, and L-shaped cord retaining plates secured along their sideedges to said cross straps, said cord retaining plates having laterallyextending arms on one end projecting across and constituting closuresfor the outer ends of the slots in said blind slats.

11. In a Venetian blind having laterally spaced double tape supportingladders with vertically extending lift cords positioned adjacent to theladders the combination of, cross straps connecting the tapes of eachladder, said straps being secured to said tapes in vertically spacedpositions adjacent to the cords, a plurality of blind slats removablysupported on said cross straps and having elongated slots opening totheir edges to receive said lift cords, and L-shaped cordretainingplates secured to said tapes and lapped along said cross straps, saidcord retaining plates hav ing laterally extending arms on one endprojecting across and constituting closures for the outer ends of theslots in said blind slats.

12. In a Venetian blind having laterally spaced double tape supportingladders with vertically extending lift cords positioned adjacent to theladders the combination of, cross straps connecting the tapes of eachladder, a plurality of blind slats removably supported on said crossstraps and having transverse slots opening to their edges to receivesaid lift cords, and cord retaining plates secured to said ladders, saidcord retaining plates extending laterally from said cross straps throughvertical planes through said lift cords and said slots in said slats toconstitute closures for the outer ends of the slots with respect to saidcords.

GLENN L SHERWOOD.

No references cited.

